The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has authorised minor variations to an industry code of practice for door-to-door energy sales undertaken by electricity and gas retailers.
The minor variations to the scheme will allow energy marketers providing comparison services to be accommodated within the scheme.
The ACCC granted authorisation to Energy Assured on 23 June 2011 for its members to adopt and comply with a scheme to self regulate door-to-door energy sales. Authorisation was granted for a period of three years until 14 July 2014. Energy Assured Limited was formed by electricity and gas retailers to develop a code regarding the conduct of sales agents when making house visits.
“The ACCC regularly receives complaints in relation to door to door energy sales, including with respect to comparison services,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims.
“However, the ACCC considers that the inclusion of Comparators in the scheme is not likely to reduce the extent to which the public benefits of the scheme outweigh the public detriments.”
The ACCC has undertaken its assessment of the proposed minor variation in accordance with the test set out in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Broadly, the ACCC may allow a minor variation to an authorisation where it is satisfied that the proposed variation does not materially change the effect of the existing arrangements and would not reduce the net public benefit arising from those arrangements.
“Should Energy Assured seek authorisation for its scheme beyond July 2014, the ACCC will be required to assess the likely public benefits and public detriments of the scheme as a whole. The ACCC’s assessment would, among other matters, include a detailed consideration of the performance and effectiveness of the scheme since it commenced operation,” Mr Sims said.
The determination will be available at Authorisations register.